What does the data say? I have compiled this academic research update regarding breastfeeding and COVID-19 vaccination. As it says in the video, this is for information purposes only. It is comprehensive but not exhaustive and does not replace discussions with your medical team regarding your personal vaccination choices.
You are welcome to share this episode with any people who provide breast or human milk to their babies, parent support professionals or others who you feel may be interested in the contents of this episode.
***On re-reading the paper by Twohig and colleagues I have become aware that ages 31 and 29 are the median age of a positive test result for Alpha and Delta strains of SARS-CoV-2 respectively, rather than median age presenting to or being admitted to hospital as originally stated in this video/podcast. I apologise for any confusion.***
A transcript of this video is available at www.annacusack.com.au/blog should you wish to read it instead.
Research articles cited:
Hare, H., & Womersley, K. (2021). Why were breastfeeding women in the UK denied the covid-19 vaccine? British Medical Journal, 372:n4. doi:10.1136/bmj.n4 Baird, J. K., Jensen, S. M., Urba, W. J., Fox, B. A., & Baird, J. R. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected in human breast milk post-vaccination. medRxiv. Advance online publication. doi:10.1101/2021.02.23.21252328 Pace, R. M. et. al. (2021). Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Antibodies, and Neutralizing Capacity in Milk Produced by Women with COVID-19. mBio, 12(1). doi: 10.1128/mBio.03192-20 Kelly, J. C. et. al. (2021). Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibodies induced in breast milk after Pfizer BioNTech/BNT162b2 vaccination. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 225(1), 101-103. doi 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.03.031 McLaurin-Jiang, S., Garner, C. D., Krutsch, K., & Hale, T. W. (2021). Maternal and Child Symptoms Following COVID-19 Vaccination Among Breastfeeding Mothers. Breastfeeding Medicine. Advance online publication. DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2021.0079 Twohig, K. A., et. al. (2021). Hospital admission and emergency care attendance risk for SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) compared with alpha (B.1.1.7) variants of concern: a cohort study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00475-8 I also referred to: -RANZCOG statement updated 18th August: https://ranzcog.edu.au/statements-guidelines/covid-19-statement/covid-19-vaccination-information -ABA position as at August 2021: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/covid-19 -The WHO “Interim recommendations for use of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2, under Emergency Use Listing” last updated 15th June 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-vaccines-SAGE_recommendation-BNT162b2-2021.1 -This Healthline article explaining how Astrazeneca and Pfizer work: https://www.healthline.com/health/astrazeneca-vs-pfizer-vaccine
You can contact Anna Cusack via www.annacusack.com.au
